An online fundraiser seeking to raise money for repairs to businesses damaged in the weekend’s unrest in Belfast has surpassed £100,000.
The GoFundMe, organised by Stephen Montgomery, seeks help to “repair racially motivated damages” after a number of businesses in the city centre were set on fire in disorder which escalated over the weekend.
Mr Montgomery, said he was “overwhelmed and in awe at everyone’s gratitude,” adding that the fundraiser would be able to incorporate more affected businesses because of the money raised.
Hotels, shops, cafés and cars in South Belfast were attacked in the aftermath of rival protests around immigration at City Hall on Saturday. Union flags and Irish flags were flown side by side at the protest, which criticised the Stormont government’s approach to immigration. Meanwhile, Palestinian flags and trade union banners were raised at a counter-protest which described anti-immigration protestors as “fascists.”
Later on Saturday, one video posted online showed a man trying to break the glass to a hotel entrance, ramming a chair at the glass whilst the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed four crews dealt with a café set alight on Donegall Road shortly before 10pm on Saturday.
Just an hour later, firefighters returned to the area to tackle a blaze at a shop on Donegall Road. A barbers shop was also attacked on Sandy Row, with the Irish News reporting that several people, including young children, were inside at the time. Meanwhile, on Botanic Avenue, hotels and a café were also damaged.
A supermarket manager in Belfast told one local paper that his businesses had been reduced to “ashes” after footage appeared online showing the burned-out interior of his shop.
The man, called Bashir, said he believed that Muslim businesses had been deliberately targeted in the unrest.
“People attacked this place, racism against Islam and Muslims, especially the Muslim community,” he told PA News agency. The supermarket manager also criticised the police response, claiming:
“All of that happened and the police did nothing, I am telling you the truth. What kind of police are letting the people burn everything down?”
Directly across the road from the supermarket, Bash Café which offers Arabic coffee and falafels, was also extensively damaged by fire. Images reveal smashed windows, with the interior destroyed by smoke damage and fire.
The cafe owner later told BBC News NI that there was “no hope” he would remain in Northern Ireland, stating:
“It won’t be attractive, you know, for any business to come and open here. Everyone knows that now. It’s not a place to open a business.”
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it had attended a shop and a cafe on fire on the Donegall Road on Saturday night, adding that the cause of both fires had been determined as deliberate.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland condemned the disorder as “disgraceful,” confirming that more unrest had unfolded on Monday night.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland strongly condemns the disgraceful scenes of violence on the streets of south Belfast last night, Monday 5th August,” a statement issued this morning read.
“In a second night of rioting and disorder, mainly in the areas of Donegall Road and Sandy Row, police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction. Petrol was also poured over a police land rover and set alight, thankfully the occupants of the vehicle were not physically harmed and remained on duty. One 15 year old male was arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remains in police custody this morning.
“A member of the public, a man aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital after he was seriously assaulted in the Donegall Road and Oban Street area. Witnesses reported seeing his attackers stamp on his head as members of the public attempted to shield him from further attack. His condition is described as serious and we are treating his attack as a hate crime.
“Earlier in the evening, a protest and counter-protest involving approximately 40 people had formed in the area of Ormeau Avenue around 5pm.
“Officers attended to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response. A report was then made of criminal damage to a family home in the Pandora Street area with windows broken,” the statement added.
“A small group gathered at the junction of University Road/Bradbury Place before moving to Donegall Road. However, larger crowds gathered with some masked rioters mounting attacks on officers.”
Police further said that during the course of the “serious disorder, authorised officers discharged two Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) with one rioter struck on the hand.
They further said that attempts were also made to torch a supermarket which had been targeted on Saturday night. Officers were able to douse this small fire before it developed.
A number of nearby roads were closed by police to ensure the safety of the public and local residents, and to enable officers to deal with the situation and disorder safely. All roads were subsequently reopened.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland.
“We are engaging with groups that have been affected by this disorder and we are gathering evidence, CCTV and other footage to progress criminal investigations.
“We are working at pace to identify offenders and make arrests. We are determined to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact us on 101.”